On June 6 the Environmental Protection Agency published in the Federal Register a final rule approving the use of carbon dioxides as a refrigerant for motor vehicle air conditioners, provided that manufacturers incorporate safety provisions into their system designs. The rule is effective August 5 and is part of the agency’s Significant New Alternatives Policy for approving alternatives to refrigerants that deplete the ozone. The rule does not apply to retrofit automobiles, nor does it apply to air conditioning for buses, trains, rail or subway cars, or refrigerated transport appliances. The rule applies for automobiles with systems that are designed to use carbon dioxide, and is designed to prevent negative health effects on drivers or passengers if carbon dioxide leaks from the system.